Players face tough choices on tickets

Linemen Levi Brown and Deuce Lutui sat in front of their lockers Saturday, a stack of Super Bowl tickets in one hand, a Raymond James Stadium seating chart in the other.

"We're trying to figure out where everybody is sitting," Brown said, "but it doesn't look like everybody's sitting near each other."

The Cardinals received their tickets after practice, the first step in what former quarterback Joe Theismann says is the worst thing about Super Bowl week: Trying to figure out a nice way to tell Uncle Floyd that no, he's not going to the big game.

"You try not to be mean about it, but you got to just tell them," Brown said. "They weren't around when things weren't going well, so they can't just choose to join in whenever they want."

Each player received two complimentary tickets and the option to buy up to 13 more for $800 or $1,000 apiece. Problem is, most friends and relatives assume the Cardinals receive an unlimited supply. Requests come from every corner of their lives, past and present. From those who are close and from those who are distant.

"I got a call from someone I have never even met," cornerback Matt Ware said. "Never stood face-to-face with that person in my life."

Coach Ken Whisenhunt advised his team to distribute the tickets quickly, and if possible have someone else handle the entire ordeal. His reasoning: No one needs such a distraction once the team plane lands Monday in Tampa.

"I made my mom do all the dirty work," Green said. "She made her own list. She gave thumbs up or thumbs down. So, yeah, there were probably a lot of people upset with us, but hey, they didn't want to come to any of the other games."

For some, the decision process was simple: Family first, friends next, former coaches and teammates third.

"I know who my peoples are," Lutui said.

For others, it was more difficult.

"It breaks your heart to say no to some people, but you don't have a choice," kicker Neil Rackers said.

Defensive end Chike Okeafor came out better than most. He had "some home boys hook me up with some tickets so I actually didn't have to tell nobody they can't go."

Okeafor laughed.

"I've been playing 10 years, man," he said. "People have been waiting a long time to see me in the Bowl."